CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With quarterbacks, receivers and running backs on the field Sunday, the combine finally started resembling something related to football. Here are some of the highlights of the afternoon.

Following up on early news and Tweets from the morning, medical reports on Georgia's Jarvis Joneswere apparently favorable on Sunday. Although some teams may remain skeptical of his spinal stenosis (narrowing of the canal), if the Browns buy into the report, he's a logical choice for them in April.

From Mary Kay Cabot: "I feel like I’m an impact player,'' said Jones, who didn't work out at the combine. "I make plays. I love the game of football. I’m a great leader. Not so much a vocal leader, but showing. I think I bring versatility to the team. I can play Sam (strong-side) linebacker. I can play Will (weak-side) linebacker. I can play 4-3. I can play a 3-4. I’m just gonna get after you. I’m gonna get after the QB every play.''

Onterio McCalebb? The Auburn running back has never rushed for more than 810 yards in a single collegiate season (Cam Newton had something to do with that), or caught more than 32 passes. But he sped through the 40 in an unofficial 4.21 (after a 4.27 in his first attempt) to pass Chris Johnson's record.

Except he didn't. NFL Network's hand timer was the equivalent of a fast radar gun, repeatedly undershooting the actual time. In McCalebb's case, it turned out to be a 4.34, well off Chris Johnson's 4.24 record.

At least the network wasn't relying on Gil Brandt, who Tweeted that he had the fastest receivers Sunday morning at sub-4.2, which Usain Bolt might appreciate.

Earnestness doesn't get you on the field in September, but it will put you in the minds of GMs and coaches looking for a guy willing to be versatile.

Michigan's Denard Robinson, who delivered a 4.34 40 in the wide receiver group, is still dealing with a nerve condition in his right elbow that ended his QB season prematurely for the Wolverines. He's still learning how to catch the ball and wasn't particularly impressive at the Senior Bowl (many observers seemed eager to be the first to call him a disappointment), but his willingness to be a slot, a return specialist or even a cornerback (something Gil Brandt is in favor of) has to put some positive buzz in front offices.

Reports NFL.com's Kareem Copeland, Robinson specified a focus on running routes, getting out of his breaks quicker and attacking the ball in the air. He has studied film of quarterback-turned-receiver Antwaan Randle-El, who played nine seasons in the NFL.

"A lot of people gamble, don't you think? I think I'll be a pretty sure bet," Robinson said. "I don't think I'm a big risk. Anybody who watched film on me knows I can make plays. They know I won't be a risk when I get the ball in my hands."

Winner of the day

Maybe he was edged out by Marquise Goodwin in the 40, but West Virginia's Tavon Austin looked like a breakout player throughout his drills on Sunday. It may not have had that much effect on his draft status, as he was already considered -- as Mike Mayock frequently said -- "a nightmare matchup."

Brian Billick points out that little is really changed in the evaluation of a player at the combine if no big problem issues arise. None arose, apparently, in Austin's case. Besides, scouts can just keep watching football porn like this.

Another blazer was Oklahoma's Kenny Stills, who got faster in his sprint, posting a 4.28 unofficial in his second effort after a 4.34 to start.

Finally, the official receiver times were released, and Chris Johnson's 4.24 is still the champion -- with apparently NFL Network's "unofficial" clocker having a fast trigger finger.

Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, the celebrated "Honey Badger" who dazzled as a freshman only to flame out in 2012 with a variety of issues that left him out of college football, spent Sunday working to rehabilitate his image to NFL teams.

From ProFootballTalk.com: Matthieu said ... he knows his troubled past will make his interviews with teams the most important thing he does.

“It’s not that I’m asking them to trust me now,” Mathieu said. “I’m just asking for them to give me an opportunity.”

Mathieu admitting to having been through rehab and counseling for the drug problems that marked his LSU departure. He said he woke up at 4 a.m. for a drug test today, and knows he cost himself “millions” with his past problems.

From @treedPD: "Jimmy from Seinfeld -- "Jimmy's getting upset" -- could not touch Tyrann Mathieu for third person references. It was spectacular."

Bear market for quarterbacks

Kurt Warner liked Geno Smith during the throwing drills, and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib "showed a bigger arm than I expected," but no one was getting raves. Arkansas' Tyler Wilson "would be an interesting second-day pick" according to Billick, who notes the chaotic coaching situation surrounding the Razorbacks.

From Joe Fortenbaugh of NationalFootballPost.com: It’s been interesting to watch the draft stock of (Matt) Barkley, Wilson and (Tyler) Bray plummet over these last few months because all three quarterbacks share a common bond that everyone has failed to mention. Each prospect spent last season playing under a bad head coach.

John L. Smith was a dumpster fire lame duck at Arkansas, Derek Dooley was run out of Tennessee and Lane Kiffin, well, don’t get me started on Kiffin. It speaks volumes to a coach’s ability when he guides the Associated Press’ preseason No. 1 to a 7-6 disaster of a campaign.

From @GenoSmith_12: "4.56 40, 10.4 broad jump, 34 inch vert. Yet none of this defines me as a QB! The game is won between the ears, study the tape!"

Admirable determination

View full sizeSouth Carolina's Marcus Lattimore hopes to convince NFL teams that he'll be able to quickly recover from a second major knee injury that ended his college career. AP file

That would be Marcus Lattimore, the star-crossed South Carolina running back who has blown out ligaments in both knees, and is still recovering from a dislocated kneecap suffered last October against Tennessee.

NFL Network spent considerable time detailing Lattimore's story, and he remains the fifth-best back available on Mike Mayock's big board. He didn't run Sunday, but has been going through all the interviews with teams and has a glowing rehab report from surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

"It's a blessing to be here," Lattimore told reporters. "I just think about guys who are less fortunate than me, guys who would kill to be in my shoes right now, even with the injury. That's what keeps me going, that's what keeps me motivated."

Beware the unnamed scout

A year ago, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn got plenty of attention for quoting anonymous scouts who were highly critical of Robert Griffin III before the 2012 draft. Of course, Griffin's performance decimated those negative comments.

But it's a new year, and more scouts unwilling to have their names attached to their statements -- perhaps to protect their bosses from knowing who is so reckless with comments -- are in another McGinn piece, this time taking apart Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner.

“He’s good, but I don’t see the special in him,” one unnamed scout said. “Kind of a try-hard, good football player but nothing special.”

Said another: “He’s not a dynamic pass rusher but he seems to get sacks. He comes off the ball hard but he’s not special.”

Our walkoff on this topic comes from ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio: Citing an “unnamed scout” tells the audience nothing about the skills or credentials of the scout. As the late George Carlin used to say (as Carlin himself would say, he’s saying nothing now), there’s a worst doctor in the world — and someone has an appointment with him tomorrow. Similarly, there are plenty of scouts who aren’t as skilled as others. Any time an unnamed scout is being quoted, there’s a chance that he’s the worst of them all.

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